During the months of August, September and October, the staff of the MAP Fund (administered by Creative Capital) will be on the road, spreading the word about the program’s upcoming 2015 grant cycle. With the support of presenting partners across the country, Program Director Moira Brennan will lead sessions in Chicago, Philadelphia, and Miami, and Program Associate Lauren Slone will travel to Washington DC, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland and Houston. Check here for specific dates and attendance information, and read on for a basic overview of the sessions, frequently asked questions and more.

What can I expect at a MAP Fund info session?
Each session will briefly review the program’s history, funding priorities, and application evaluation criteria:

• Does the proposal demonstrate artistic excellence?
• Is the project viable?
• Does the project align with the MAP Fund goals of supporting works that challenge conventions of contemporary performance and/or address issues of cultural difference, be that in class, gender, generation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or other aspects of diversity?

Next we’ll talk about the application process itself, including important deadlines (NOTE: we cannot accept late submissions), tips for project descriptions and work samples, and how the evaluation process operates. Our process is similar to Creative Capital’s selection process, with esteemed artists and arts leaders in the national field reviewing every proposal at the LOI stage, the full application stage, and the panel stage.
All sessions will include plenty of time for your questions, such as, perhaps, “How much money artists should request in their application?” (up to 30% of your total project budget!), or “Am I at a disadvantage if I use a fiscal sponsor?” (No! – but let’s talk about that on a one-on-one basis), and “What doesn’t MAP fund?” (Tours of existing repertoire, for example). Whatever you’re wondering, we can help!
What if I can’t make it to an info session?
There are plenty of ways to receive support during the application process. For general inquires, email  [email protected],  or call our office at 212-226-1677. Artists in the New York area are welcome to schedule a visit to our new space in Lower Manhattan by filling out this scheduling tool.
We look forward to seeing you at a session, and learning about your projects!